Tactile directional tiles for pedestrians

ABSTRACT

A system and apparatus for providing tactile feedback for visually impaired persons with arrangements of tactile tiles. An elongated tactile tile includes multiple rows of elongated blisters with alternating rows offset. The longitudinal axis of the elongated blisters is parallel to the direction of travel indicated by the tile. The offset rows prevent the alignment of adjacent blisters that could be confused with the rows indicating the direction of travel. In various embodiments, the tactile tile is bounded on one side by a guide way tile and on the opposite side by a hazard rib tile, both of which are aligned with the direction of travel. A plurality of tactile tiles are positioned adjacent a pedestrian walkway crossing a street. Where multiple walkways cross an intersection, a plurality of tactile tiles n the sidewalk corner indicate the direction for each walkway.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/864,110, filed Nov. 2, 2006.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to tactile tiles for pedestrians. Moreparticularly, this invention pertains to tactile tiles that offerdirectional features that aid passage by visually impaired persons, suchas blind or partially-sighted persons.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many visually impaired persons, that is, blind or partially sightedpersons, have developed skills necessary to navigate in public. Theseskills include using their senses, such as touch and hearing, andvarious aids, such as canes and guide dogs. In many cases, these skillsare sufficient to allow a visually impaired person to navigate walkwaysand streets.

Attempts have been made to provide secondary aids to assist visuallyimpaired persons in navigating in public. For example, U.S. Pat. No.5,936,528, issued to Kobayashi, et al., on Aug. 10, 1999, titled“Visually handicapped person guidance and support” discloses a portablescanner incorporated into a cane. The scanner is responsive to aresonance label that is positioned adjacent a passage, stair, aislefloor, wall surface, or Braille block.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,867,697, issued to Nanayakkara, et al., on Mar. 15,2005, titled “System for guiding the visually handicapped,” disclosesanother navigation aid that is incorporated into a walkway and is sensedby a person wearing special shoes or carrying a special cane. Acontinuous electrical conductor is embedded within a walkway. A detectorsensitive to the embedded conductor is incorporated into a shoe or acane. The detector provides information to a person when the detector isproximate the embedded conductor.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,992,592 and 7,199,725, both issued to Gilfix, et al.,on Jan. 31, 2006, and Apr. 3, 2007, respectively, both titled “Radiofrequency identification aiding the visually impaired with sound skins,”disclose electronic travel aids that are responsive to radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tags associated with objects that a visuallyimpaired person would encounter. The electronic travel aid is a handheld device that provides information via a speaker and a tactiledisplay when the travel aid receives data from the RFID.

The above-identified aids require that the visually impaired personcarry a special device other than would normally be carried by such aperson. There is a need for a passive travel aid that readily providesinformation to a visually impaired person without requiring the personto carry or wear special equipment. There is a need for such a passivetravel aid to be available to everyone. There is a need for such apassive travel aid to be readily deployed at locations where such atravel aid would provide useful navigational information. There is aneed for a travel aid that is readily discernable from adjacentenvironmental features.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to various embodiments of the present invention, systems andapparatus for aiding passage by blind or partially-sighted persons areprovided. The systems include various combinations of elongated offsettactile tiles, guide way tiles, hazard rib tiles, stop line tiles, andphosphorescent ribs.

A tactile tile having elongated offset blisters protruding from a baseis disclosed. The blisters are truncated, that is, the blisters haverounded sides, but a flat top. The blisters have a height and a profilethat avoid creating a tripping hazard. The blisters are elongated in alongitudinal direction that is parallel to the direction of travel onthe elongated offset tactile tile. The blisters are aligned in parallelrows with the longitudinal axis of the blisters in each row co-axial.The rows of elongated blisters and the elongated shape of the blistersallow a person's foot to sense the direction indicated by the tile.

Additionally, adjacent rows of elongated blisters are offset, that is, ablister in one row is not aligned with a blister in an adjacent row. Ifa line is projected from the center of one blister perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis, the line does not intersect the center of a blisterin the adjacent row because of the offset. The offset blisters providetactile indication of the correct direction. A diagonal line of theoffset blisters is tactilely different than a row of blisters because,with the diagonal line, the longitudinal axis of each blister is obliqueto the diagonal line. Additionally, in one embodiment, the diagonal lineis not a straight line because the offset is such that the alternatingrows of blisters do not follow a straight diagonal line.

The parallel rows of blisters aid a person with a cane in following thedirection indicated by the elongated offset tile because the canefollows the surface of the tile between the parallel rows withoutobstruction. If the person with the cane deviates from the indicateddirection, the cane encounters the offset blisters because the tile doesnot have a clear, unobstructed path for a cane on the base of the tile.The tortuous path that the cane must follow when deviating from theindicated path informs the person that the person is not traveling inthe direction indicated by the tile.

According to one embodiment, a tactile guide way for a walkway isprovided by a pair of parallel raised ribs that run parallel to awalkway and adjacent to a elongated offset tactile tile. Variousembodiments of the guide way tiles are disclosed in application Ser. No.11/875,884, filed on Oct. 20, 2007, and incorporated herein byreference. The pair of raised ribs are positioned side-by-side withsufficient room for a cane tip to be positioned between the ribs. Aperson is guided along the guide way by placing the cane tip between thepair of raised ribs and walking in the direction indicated by the pairof ribs. In one embodiment, one or both of the ribs have a short breakthat indicates a waypoint or a stopping point and also allows for waterdrainage. In various embodiments, the raised ribs are positioned on oneside or the other of the walkway or down the center of the walkway.

In one embodiment, a guide way tile includes the pair of raised ribsprotruding from a base. The base is adapted to be securely attached to asurface. In one embodiment, the ends of the pair of raised ribs on thetile are flush with the ends of the base, thereby allowing one segmentto be butted against another segment to form a pair of continuous raisedribs. In one such embodiment, the ends of the tiles are angled, that is,the ends are not perpendicular to the base, but the surface of the endis at an angle relative to the base such that the ends of two tiles havea larger surface area for an adhesive to be disposed when butt joiningthe two tiles. In other embodiments, one or both ends of the raised ribsare rounded, which presents a smooth surface that avoids trippinghazards. The rounded ends are positioned at the start and/or end of theguide way. In another embodiment, the rounded ends are positionedbetween the ends of the guide way to indicate a waypoint or stoppingpoint by the cane tip encountering the opening in the raised rib formedby a pair of rounded ends facing each other. In such an embodiment, theopening also allows for drainage of water and other fluids that wouldotherwise collect between the raised ribs.

According to one embodiment, a hazard rib tile is provided by a singleelongated and truncated blister tile that runs parallel to a walkway andadjacent to a elongated offset tactile tile. The hazard rib includes ablister on a base. The blister is truncated and elongated. Whenpositioned adjacent a tactile tile, the hazard rib tactilely indicates ahazard to a person. Such hazards include curbs, obstructions, steps, orobstacles that present a hazard to a blind or partially sighted person.

In one embodiment, the various tiles, including the elongated offsettactile tiles, the guide way tiles, and the hazard rib tiles, have ananti-slip feature. A pattern of shallow grooves is formed in the basearound the blisters and/or ribs. In one embodiment, the grooves arearranged in a rectilinear pattern on the base. In another embodiment,the grooves in one direction are straight and the grooves in theperpendicular direction follow a curved line that corresponds to theoffset of the blisters from row to row in the elongated offset tiles.

According to one embodiment, an elongated tile, or stop line tile,having a trapezoidal cross-section is disclosed. The stop line tile is araised tile that is positioned parallel to a traffic stop line adjacenta cross-walk. The stop line tile has an elongated flat top with sidesthat slope down to the bottom surface of the tile. For flat roadwaysurfaces, the stop line tile provides tactile feedback to vehicleoperators of the presence and limits of a traffic stop line. The tactilefeedback provides additional assurance to persons, particularly thosewho are blind or partially sighted, that approaching vehicles havesufficient notice of the position at which the vehicle must stop topermit safe passage of the persons.

According to one embodiment, elongated ribs with a phosphorescentsurface portion are disclosed. The rib is an elongated member with aflat bottom and a curved upper surface. The upper surface of the rib hasa grooved pattern that provides traction and exhibits anti-slipproperties. The area bounded by the grooves includes a phosphorescentmaterial. The phosphorescent material is molded integral with the rib.In one embodiment, the rib includes a series of elongated strips. Eachstrip is surrounded by a groove.

In another embodiment, the rib includes a series of stylized arrows andthe ends of the ribs have a shape corresponding to the arrows. Eacharrow is surrounded by a groove and the arrow is illuminated with thephosphorescent material. The front of the rib, with reference to thedirection indicated by the rib, has a rounded point and the rear of therib has in inverted rounded V-shape. The ends of the rib tactilelyindicate the direction of travel for blind and partially sightedpersons. The shape and the phosphorescent glow of the arrows indicatesto sighted persons the direction of travel.

According to one embodiment, a street crossing system for blind orpartially sighted persons is provided. The surface of a sidewalkadjacent a street crossing includes elongated offset tactile tilesindicating the direction to the crossing. Adjacent the curb is a hazardrib warning the person of the curb and the street. The hazard strip ispositioned perpendicular to the direction of travel indicated by theelongated offset tactile tiles. On the surface of the roadway, guide waytiles are positioned to indicate the path for crossing the roadway.Adjacent the crossing on the traffic side of the crossing is a trafficstop line that indicates where vehicles are to stop to allow pedestriansto cross the roadway. Adjacent the traffic stop line is a stop line tilethat provides tactile indication to the vehicle operators of the preciselocation of the traffic stop line. In one embodiment, the elongatedoffset tactile tiles on the sidewalk include tiles that extend acrossthe full width of the sidewalk. The tiles tactilely indicate to a personthe presence of a street crossing regardless of the person's path alongthe sidewalk.

In one embodiment, the elongated offset tactile tiles on the sidewalkhave a mitered connection at a corner where two street crossingsintersect on the sidewalk. In one such embodiment, a line of tilesextends from the elongated offset tactile tiles on the sidewalk to theedge of the sidewalk opposite the curb. Such a line tactilely indicatesto a person the presence of a street crossing if the person's path doesnot carry them directly onto the elongated offset tactile tiles on thesidewalk.

In one embodiment of the street crossing system, the crosswalk on thestreet is bounded on one or both sides by guide way tiles. The guide waytiles provide tactile indication of the path for blind or partiallysighted persons. In another such embodiment, two-path guide way tilesare located down the centerline of the crosswalk on the street. In suchan embodiment, the two-path guide way tiles allow two persons with canesto pass in opposite directions without colliding. In still anotherembodiment, the crosswalk on the street is bounded on the sides by guideway tiles and the two-path guide way tiles run down the centerline ofthe crosswalk on the street. Such an embodiment is appropriate forheavily traveled and/or wide street crossings.

According to one embodiment, a walkway includes a series of side-by-sideelongated offset tactile tiles indicating the direction of travel of thewalkway. Along one side of the walkway are guide way tiles. Thedirection of the walkway is tactilely indicated by the longitudinal axisof the blisters being aligned with the walkway direction and by theguide way tiles.

In one embodiment, the pedestrian walkway system includes hazard ribtiles positioned on the side of the elongated offset tactile tilesopposite the guide way tiles. The hazard rib tiles tactilely indicatethat a hazard is nearby in the direction opposite the elongated offsettactile tiles. For example, a pedestrian walkway adjacent a trainplatform has the hazard rib tiles a safe distance from the edge of theplatform. The elongated offset tactile tiles are on the side of thehazard rib tiles opposite the edge of the platform and extend a distanceaway from the hazard rib tiles to provide a comfortable walkway. Theguide way tiles are positioned adjacent the elongated offset tactiletiles on the side furthest from the platform edge.

In another embodiment, the pedestrian walkway system includes elongatedoffset tactile tiles and adjacent guide way tiles. Adjacent the walkwayis a turnoff, for example, a fixed location indicating a doorway, aworkstation, or a loading platform. The turnoff location is tactilelyindicated by an interruption of the guide way tiles and/or a path oftactile tiles between the walkway and the turnoff destination, forexample, the doorway. In one such embodiment, the tactile indication inthe guide way tiles includes a series of ribs positioned with theirlongitudinal axis perpendicular to the direction of travel of thewalkway. A person using a cane with the guide way tiles receives tactileindication when the cane encounters the cross-ways ribs in the guide waypath.

In one embodiment of the pedestrian walkway system, the phosphorescentribs are positioned adjacent the walkway to tactilely indicate to blindor partially sighted persons a specific direction. The phosphorescentribs visually indicate to sighted and partially sighted persons aspecific direction by the tiles shape and phosphorescence. In variousembodiments, the phosphorescent ribs replace the hazard rib tiles orprovide indication of an entry or exit point for the walkway.

In another embodiment of the pedestrian walkway system, the elongatedoffset tactile tiles form a walkway that terminates in a doorway orother passageway, or opening, in a wall or structure. In such anembodiment, the walkway includes the elongated offset tactile tiles andguide way tiles positioned on one or both sides of the elongated offsettactile tiles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearlyunderstood from the following detailed description of the invention readtogether with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a walkway segment thatincludes a guide way tile, an elongated offset tile, and a hazard ribtile;

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of one embodiment of the elongated offsettile and the hazard rib tile;

FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view of another embodiment of the elongatedoffset tile;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one embodiment of the tactile directional tilesystem integrated with a pedestrian crossing of a roadway;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of one embodiment of the crossing surface showingthe tile pattern;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of the crossing surfaceshowing the tile pattern;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of the tactile directionaltile system integrated with a platform;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a person using the embodiment of thetactile directional tile system shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of one embodiment of a guide way tile showing asingle guide path;

FIG. 10 is an end view of a guide way with a single guide path;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of another embodiment of a guide way tile showingtwo parallel guide paths;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of one embodiment of a phosphorescent guide tile;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of another embodiment of a phosphorescent guidetile;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the phosphorescent guide tile; and

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the stop linetile.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A system and an apparatus for aiding passage by blind orpartially-sighted persons 802 is disclosed. Blind or partially sightedpersons 802 often rely upon tactile sensations in order to navigatewhile walking. Even for a sighted person, crossing a street andnavigating walkways is oftentimes hazardous. Enabling blind or partiallysighted persons 802 to navigate a street crossing and other walkways ina straight-forward manner without conscious effort allows those persons802 to devote their senses to detecting the various dangers and hazardspresent on a passageway.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of a walkwaysegment 100-A that includes a guide way tile 104, an elongated offsettactile tile 102-A, and a hazard rib tile 106. In the illustratedembodiment, the guide way tile 104, the elongated offset tactile tile102-A, and the hazard rib tile 106 are individual tiles that are buttedtogether to form a walkway segment 100-A. In other embodiments,combinations of two or all three of the guide way tile 104, theelongated offset tile 102-A, and the hazard rib tile 106 form a singletile sharing a common base 108, 118.

The guide way tile 104 includes a pair of parallel rounded ribs 114 thatare dimensioned and configured to guide a tip of a cane 804 carried by aperson walking adjacent the guide way tile 104.

The elongated offset tactile tile 102-A includes rows of blisters 112 ona base 108. One row of blisters 112-A is parallel to, but offset from,the adjacent row 112-B. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 108includes a series of intersecting grooves 122 that provide an anti-slipfeature to the surface of the base 108.

The hazard rib tile 106 includes a single, elongated rib 116 on a base118. The hazard rib tile 106 includes the grooves 122 for the anti-slipfeature.

In one embodiment, the tiles 102, 104, 106 are formed of a polyurethanecasting resin with the illustrated shape and configuration. In otherembodiments, the raised ribs 114, 116 and the blisters 112 are formed ofthe material used for the roadway 412 or other surface from which theraised ribs 114, 116 and the blisters 112 protrude.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial side view of the elongated offset tactiletile 102-A and the hazard rib tile 106. The partially illustratedelongated offset tile 102-A is butted to the hazard rib tile 106 at abutt joint 206. The grooves 122 for the anti-slip feature are roundeddepressions formed in the base 108, 118 of the tiles 102, 106.

The truncated blisters 112 include a rounded side 204 and a flat top202. The rounded sides 204 provide a smooth surface that avoids creatinga tripping hazard. The flat top 202 provides a surface that is notuncomfortable for persons 802 to walk or stand upon. The blisters 112have a height and a shape that aids a person in tactilely sensing thepresence of the blister 112 and the direction of the longitudinal axisof the blister 112. FIG. 2 illustrates the offset nature of the tile 102by showing the blister 112-B in the second row in cross-section and theblister 112-A in the first row not in cross-section.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial top plan view of another embodiment of theelongated offset tactile tile 102-B. In the illustrated embodiment, thegrooves 122, 322 for the anti-slip feature of the tile 102-B includestraight grooves 122 and curved grooves 322. The curved grooves 322follow a curved line corresponding to the offset of the blisters 112from row 112-A to row 112-B. The grooves 122, 322 are shallow, roundeddepressions in the base 108 that provide traction.

The elongated offset tactile tile 102 tactilely indicates a direction302 of travel. The blisters 112 have a length 312 that is greater than awidth 314, which makes the blisters 112 elongated. Each blister 112 hasa longitudinal axis that extends through the length 312 of the blister112, and that longitudinal axis is parallel to the direction 302 oftravel. As a person walks on the elongated offset tactile tile 102, thelonger length 312 relative to the width 314 is detected by the personalong with the rows 112-A, 112-B of in-line blisters 112, all of whichprovides tactile indication of the direction 302 of travel for the tile102.

Additionally, the offset blisters 112 of the tile 102 tactilelyindicates a direction 302 of travel. The clear space between the rows112-A, 112-B of in-line blisters 112 allows passage of a cane 804carried by a person who is blind or partially sighted. In any directionother than the direction 302 of travel, for example, a perpendiculardirection 304, the cane tip will be obstructed by the offset blisters112. That is, there is only a single directional line 302 for the tile102 and no other grouping of adjacent blisters 112 are aligned linearlyto indicate another directional line. For example, if the cane tipstarts between two blisters 112-B1, 112-B2 and moves in theperpendicular direction 304, the cane tip will contact an offset blister112-A1 in the next row 112-A.

In one embodiment, the offset blisters 112 are positioned such that theblisters 112 avoid being bisected, cut-off, or truncated by the edge ofthe tile 102. In such an embodiment, one row 112-B of blisters 112 isoffset to be not exactly centered between the blisters 112 of theadjacent row 112-A. The offset allows a straight line perpendicular tothe direction 302 of travel to not intersect any blisters 112. The areasurrounding such a line is not sufficiently wide to allow a cane tip totravel in that direction 304 without encountering a blister 112.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of the tactiledirectional tile system, or a street crossing system, 400 integratedwith a pedestrian crossing 406 of a roadway 412. The illustratedintersection 402 includes a stop line 408 on one side of the center line410 in a roadway 412. Between the stop line 408 and the center of theintersection 402 is a pedestrian cross-walk 406-A. The pedestriancross-walk 406, the stop line 408, and the roadway center line 410 aretypically painted onto the surface of the roadway 412. In theillustrated embodiment, the pedestrian cross-walk 406 is a series ofparallel white bars oriented perpendicular to the direction ofpedestrian traffic on the crosswalk 406. Pedestrian cross-walks 406 arealso known to be a pair of parallel white lines extending between thesidewalks 404 and delineating the path for pedestrians between thelines.

On the sides of the roadway 412 are sidewalks 404 that typically have acurb separating the raised surface of the sidewalk 404 from the surfaceof the roadway 412. The sidewalks 404 are defined by the curb adjacentthe roadway 412 and the buildings 414 or other structures that aretypically parallel to the roadway 412.

A pedestrian on one sidewalk 404, who wishes to cross a roadway 412,stands on the sidewalk 404 until the traffic conditions on the roadway412 permit the pedestrian to cross the roadway 412 on the pedestriancross-walk 406. A sighted pedestrian typically has no difficulty inseeing the markings 422 defining the cross-walk 406. Likewise, a sightedpedestrian has no problem positioning themselves on the sidewalk 404adjacent to the cross-walk 406.

A blind or partially sighted person 802 walking along the sidewalk 404relies upon various cues to determine the correct path to follow.Tapping a cane 804 provides such a person 802 with feedback indicatingthe location of buildings 414 and intersections 402. A crossing surface400 on the sidewalk 404 adjacent the cross-walk 406 indicates to a blindor partially sighted person 802 where a cross-walk 406 and guide ways104 for crossing the roadway 412 are located. After determining thelocation of the cross-walk 406, such a person 802 uses the guide ways104 to guide themselves across the roadway 114 in a sure and expeditiousmanner.

Audible signals are used for guiding blind or partially sighted persons802 across roadways 412. The audible signals provide direction anddistance information to the person because the location of the audiblesignal is detected by moving the head and by the intensity, whichindicates the relative distance and is discerned by the ears. Roadways412 carry traffic, which generates background noise. The backgroundnoise competes with the audible signals. It is not uncommon for theintensity of the audible signals to be drowned out by the backgroundsignals or for others to complain that the audible signals are too loudif the intensity of the signal is adjusted to overcome the backgroundnoise. The guide way 104 allows a person to be guided across such aroadway 412 without the use of an audible signal.

In the illustrated embodiment, the crossing surface 400-A on thesidewalk 404 includes two sections 432-A, 432-B of tactile tiles 102positioned to indicate the direction of travel 436-A, 436-B for thecross-walks 406-A, 406-B and the presence of the guide ways 104-A,104-B. For the embodiments where the crossing surface 400 does not coverthe full width of the sidewalk 404 between the street 412 and thebuildings 414, a catch strip 416 is positioned such that a person on thesidewalk 404 must either walk on the catch strip 416 or the crossingsurface 400. In the illustrated embodiment, the catch strip 416 isoriented or pointing toward the center of the intersection 402, therebyproviding an indication to the person of the direction of theintersection 402. In various embodiments, the catch strip 416 includestactile tiles arranged in diagonal and/or rectilinear patterns toindicate the presence of the crossing surface 400.

In one embodiment, the stop line 408 includes tactile stop line tiles1500 positioned to provide tactile feedback to vehicle operators of apreferred position to stop the vehicle to ensure safe passage ofpedestrians. According to one embodiment, stop line tiles 1500 are anelongated tile having a trapezoidal cross-section. For flat roadwaysurfaces, the stop line tile 1500 provides tactile feedback to vehicleoperators of the presence and limits of a traffic stop line 408. Thetactile feedback provides additional assurance to persons 802,particularly those who are blind or partially sighted, that approachingvehicles have sufficient notice of the cross-walk 406 and the positionat which the vehicle must stop to permit safe passage of the persons802.

In various embodiments, the guide way tiles 104 are positioned at one orboth sides of the cross-walk 406. In another embodiment, a two-pathguide way 104-B is positioned in the center of the cross-walk 406-A,which enables two persons 802 using canes 804 to pass on the cross-walk406-A.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of the crossing surface400-A, which is generally illustrated in FIG. 4. The blisters 112 ineach section 432-A, 432-B of tactile tiles 102 forming the crossingsurface 400-A have their longitudinal axis oriented parallel to thedirection of travel 436-A, 436-B of the adjacent cross-walk 406-A,406-B. One segment 432-A has one edge adjacent the cross-walk 406-A forcrossing one street 412-A. The opposite side of the segment 432-A has ajoint with the segment 432-B for the cross-walk 406-B crossing the sidestreet 412-B. In the illustrated embodiment, the joint is a miter joint,that is, the segments 432-A, 432-B are joined at a 45-degree angle. Themiter joint allows the blisters 112 of one segment 432-A, 432-B thatfall on the joint to mate with the blisters 112 of the other segment432-B, 432-A that fall on the joint, thereby avoiding a tripping hazard.

In the illustrated embodiment, the crossing surface 400-A includes acorner segment 438 at the corner 502 of the sidewalk 404 nearest to thecenter of the intersection 402. The corner segment 438 indicates theportion of the sidewalk 404 between the cross-walk 406 and the adjacentside-street 412. The corner segment 438 has a non-slip surface and doesnot tactilely indicate a direction of travel. The use of the cornersegment 438 is suitable for intersections 402 that have sidewalks 404with a corner 502 that has a wide, sweeping curve and not the sharpsidewalk corner 602 as illustrated in FIG. 6. In another embodiment, thecorner segment 438 is an area free of blisters 112 that is defined bythe intersecting edges of the segments 432-B, 432-A and the edge of thesidewalk 404 adjacent the street 412.

At the edge of the crossing surface 400 adjacent the curb and roadway412 are hazard rib tiles 106 with elongated ribs 116 tactilelyindicating the adjacent curb and street 412. A person walking along thecrossing surface in the direction 436 toward the cross-walk 406encounters the hazard ribs 116 before encountering the street 412.

FIG. 6 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of the crossingsurface 400-B. In the illustrated embodiment, the crossing surface 400-Bincludes two segments 432-A′, 432-B′ that are joined with a miter joint.At the edge of the crossing surface 400-B adjacent the curb and roadway412 are hazard rib tiles 106 with elongated ribs 116 tactilelyindicating the adjacent curb and street 412. A person walking along thecrossing surface in the direction 436 toward the cross-walk 406encounters the hazard ribs 116 before encountering the street 412.

The illustrated embodiment of the crossing surface 400-B is suitable forthose intersections 402 where the sidewalks 404 have a sharp cornerand/or where the crosswalks 406 are wide and extend to the very corner602 of the sidewalk 404.

FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of the tactiledirectional tile system 700 integrated with a train platform 710. Awalkway 712 is parallel to the edge of the platform 710. The edge of theplatform 710 is identified with a stripe 702 or other marking.

The walkway 712 is formed of a series of walkway segments 100-A thatinclude a series of tiles 104, 102, 106 arranged side-by-side in thedirection 718 of travel of the walkway 712. The edge of the walkway 712furthest away from the platform edge 702 includes guide way tiles 106positioned end-to-end. The walkway 712 includes guide way tiles 104 onone side of the elongated offset tactile tiles 102 and hazard rib tiles106 on the opposite side of the tactile tiles 102. In the illustratedembodiment, the hazard rib tiles 106 are on the side of the tactiletiles 102 closest to the platform edge 702. The hazard rib tiles 106provide tactile indication of the presence of the platform edge 702,which is a safe distance from the hazard rib tiles 106. The guide waytiles 106, the tactile tiles 102, and the hazard rib tiles 106 arealigned with the direction 718 of travel of the walkway 712.

In one embodiment, the platform 710 includes a fixed opening orentry/exit point 720. Opposite the entry point 720 is one embodiment ofa walkway segment 100-B having the guide way tiles 104 interrupted witha turn-off indicator tile 716 that includes several perpendicular ribs726 oriented perpendicular to the direction 718 of travel of the walkway712. A person using a cane 804 to follow the guide way tiles 104 detectsthe perpendicular ribs 726 and recognizes that a turn-off is indicated.A pathway tile 704 bridges the distance between the walkway 712 and theentry point 720. In one embodiment, the pathway tile 704 includesseveral ribs 714 oriented perpendicular to the walkway 712.

In still another embodiment, the walkway 712 terminates in a doorway orother passageway, or opening, in a wall or structure. In various suchembodiments, the walkway 712 includes elongated offset tactile tiles 102with guide way tiles 106 positioned on one or both sides of theelongated offset tactile tiles 102. In other embodiments, the walkway712 includes phosphorescent ribs 1200 positioned adjacent the walkway712 to tactilely indicate to blind or partially sighted persons 802 aspecific direction. The phosphorescent ribs 1200 indicate to sighted andpartially sighted persons 802 a specific direction. In variousembodiments, the phosphorescent ribs 1200 replace the hazard rib tiles106 or provide indication of an entry or exit point for the walkway 712.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a person using the embodimentof the tactile directional tile system 700 shown in FIG. 7. Theillustrated person 802 holds a cane 804 that provides tactile feedbackto the person 802. By tapping the cane 804 on a surface and listeningfor the echoes, a person 802 can often obtain information about theirsurroundings. Also, the cane 804 provides tactile feedback to the person802 regarding the type and texture of the surface surrounding the person802, in particular, the surface immediately in front of the person 802.It is common for such a person 802 to swing the cane 804 fromside-to-side or even back-and-forth in a direction in-line with thedirection 718 of travel.

The offset spacing and the dimensions 312, 314 of the blisters 112 allowthe person 802 to detect the blisters 112 with their feet 812. If theperson 802 is barefoot or has footwear with thin soles, the person 802detects directly the blisters 112 under the feet 812 when the feet 812are in contact with the blisters 112. Additionally, the person 802detects indirectly the blisters 112 by the interaction of the feet 812with the blisters 112 and the base 108, even when the person 802 hasfootwear with thick soles.

By walking on the blisters 112 and moving a foot 812 onto and off thewalkway 712, a person 802 detects a non-smooth surface. For example, aslight rocking of the foot 812 as it makes contact with the tactiletiles 102, with the pivoting axis located inboard of the end or edge ofthe foot 812, indicates that the edge or end of the foot 812 ispositioned in the area between adjacent blisters 112. Also, the pivotingaxis provides information as to the direction 302 of travel of thetactile tile 102. Accordingly, the dimensions and configuration of theblisters 112 on the walkway 712 allows a blind or partially sightedperson 802 to follow and stay on the walkway 712.

The guide way tiles 104 are positioned along one side of the walkway712. The person 802 holds a cane 804 with the tip positioned in the area902 between the raised ribs 114. The cane tip provides tactile feedbackto the person 802 of the guide way direction 718, thereby allowing theperson 802 to move in the forward direction 718.

FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of a guide way tile104-A showing a single guide path 902. FIG. 10 illustrates an end viewof a guide way tile 104 with a single guide path 902. The tile 104-Aincludes a base 904 that is substantially rectangular. The base 904 hasa thickness sufficient to support and secure the raised ribs 114-A. Thelength of the raised ribs 114-A is slightly less than the length of thebase 904 because the ends 906 of the raised ribs 114-A are rounded toavoid creating a tripping hazard. In the illustrated embodiment, thebase 904 includes an upper bevel 1012. In one embodiment, the bevel 1012extends to the bottom of the base 904. In another embodiment, there isno bevel 1012 on the base 904.

In the illustrated embodiment, an area, or pathway, 902 is definedbetween raised ribs 114-A. The area 902 is dimensioned to allow the tipof the cane 804 to travel in either direction 908-AB from end-to-end ofthe tile 102-A. The centers of the raised ribs 114-A are separated by afirst distance 1002 and the center of the raised ribs 114-A are a seconddistance 1004 from the edge of the tiles 104-A. To maintain even spacingof the raised ribs 114-A when multiple tiles 104-A are joined by buttingthem together side-by-side, the second distance 1004 is one-half thefirst distance 1002. In one embodiment, the separation, or first,distance 1002 is approximately two inches.

The raised ribs 114-A are elongated ridges with a rounded surface. Eachraised rib 114-A has a width 1006 and a height 1008. The width 1006 andthe height 1008, along with the separation distance 1002, aredimensioned to avoid creating a tripping hazard to pedestrians whilestill being of a size that enables tactile feedback to a blind orpartially sighted person 802. In one embodiment, the dimensions found toprovide tactile feedback without causing a tripping hazard are a width1006 of 0.75 inches and a height 1008 of 0.25 inches with a separationdistance of two inches. Such dimensions result in a height to separationratio of 1:8.

FIG. 11 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of a guide waytile 104-B showing two parallel guide paths 902-A, 902-B. Theillustrated embodiment includes three raised ribs 114-A, 114-B, with thepairs of ribs 114-A, 114-B separated by an area 902-A, 902-B. Thetwo-path guide way tile 104-B includes one path 902-A that permits aright-handed person 802 to travel in one direction 908-A and anotherpath 902-B that permits another right-handed person 802 to travel in theopposite direction 908-B without fear of collision.

FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view of one embodiment of a phosphorescentguide tile 1200-A. The guide tile 1200-A includes a rib body 1202-A andseveral phosphorescent indicators 1204-A surrounded by a groove 1206.The grooves 1206 provide traction for persons 802 walking on the guidetiles 1200 and also provide a separation for the phosphorescent materialwhen the guide tiles 1200 are molded. In the illustrated embodiment, thephosphorescent indicators 1204-A are elongated sections with roundedends. The phosphorescent indicators 1204 glow with a soft illuminationafter the indicators 1204 are exposed to light.

FIG. 13 illustrates a plan view of another embodiment of aphosphorescent guide tile 1200-B. The illustrated embodiment of the tile1200-B has tactile features including the stylized point 1304 and thestylized feather end 1302. The stylized point 1304 and the stylizedfeather end 1302 are rounded to avoid being a tripping hazard.

Additionally, the phosphorescent indicators 1204-B have an outline witha stylized arrow shape that corresponds to the point 1304 and end 1302of the rib body 1202-B. The point 1304 and end 1302 are detectable by ablind or partially sighted person 802 stepping on the guide tile 1204-B.A sighted or partially sighted person 802 is able to see the softillumination of the phosphorescent indicators 1204 in the dark.

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the phosphorescent guidetile 1200. The grooves 1206 surrounding the phosphorescent indicators1204 have a rounded cross-section the penetrates below the outer surfaceof the rib body 1202 and the indicators 1204. Bounded by the grooves1206 is the phosphorescent indicator 1204, which is made of aphosphorescent material. The rib body 1202 has rounded sides to avoidingbeing a tripping hazard.

One method of fabricating the phosphorescent guide tile 1200 is to firstinject the phosphorescent material into a mold in the area bounded bythe mold protrusions that form the grooves 1206. The material for therib body 1202 is then injected into the mold to complete thephosphorescent guide tile 1200.

FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the stopline tile 1500. The stop line tile 1500 has a trapezoidal shape with aflat top 1504 and two sloping sides 1502. The tile 1500 is white to aidin visibility and it is fabricated of a durable material suitable forvehicles to drive over repeatedly.

In one embodiment, the stop line tile 1500 has a width of approximatelysix inches and a height of approximately one-half inch. The length ofthe tile 1500 is sufficient to ensure that a vehicle comes into contactwith the tile 1500 when the tile 1500 is attached to the roadway 412.The height of the tile 1500 is dimensioned to be sufficient to cause thetile 1500 to be detected by the driver of a vehicle when the vehicledrives over the stop line tile 1500 at a slow speed. The driver receivesa tactile indication of the presence of the stop line.

From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilledin the art that a street crossing system 400 has been provided. Invarious embodiments, the street crossing system 400 includes a crossingsurface 400 on a sidewalk 404, guide way tiles 104 adjacent thecrosswalk 406, a stop line tiles 1500 adjacent the stop line 408 on theroadway 412, and/or a catch strip 416 positioned on the sidewalk 404. Invarious embodiments, the crossing surface 400 includes sections 432-A,432-B associated with each cross-walk 406 at an intersection 402 andoptionally a corner segment 438. The sections 432-A, 432-B includeelongated offset tactile tiles 102 and hazard rib tiles 106.

From the foregoing description, it will be recognized by those skilledin the art that a pedestrian walkway system 700 has been provided. Inone embodiment, the walkway 712 is integrated with a platform 710. Inone such embodiment, the walkway 712 includes hazard rib tiles 106,elongated offset tactile tiles 102, and guide way tiles 104. In varioussuch embodiments, the guide way tiles 104 are interrupted by turn-offindicator tiles 716 and adjacent the walkway 712 is one or more pathwaytiles 704 leading to an entry/exit point 720. In another embodiment, thewalkway 712 terminates in a doorway or other passageway, or opening, ina wall or structure. In such an embodiment, the walkway 712 includeselongated offset tactile tiles 102 with guide way tiles 104 positionedon one or both sides of the tactile tiles 702. In other embodiments,phosphorescent guide tiles 1200 are positioned adjacent to the walkway712.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description ofseveral embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have beendescribed in considerable detail, it is not the intention of theapplicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appendedclaims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications willreadily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broaderaspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representativeapparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described.Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departingfrom the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

1. A walkway segment providing tactile feedback for visually impairedpersons, said walkway segment comprising: a base having a planarsurface, said planar surface having an anti-slip surface; a plurality ofblisters protruding from said planar surface of said base, each one ofsaid plurality of blisters having an elongated shape and a longitudinalaxis, said plurality of blisters being dimensioned to avoid being atripping hazard, each one of said plurality of blisters having a roundedside and a flattened top portion, said plurality of blisters aligned ina plurality of rows, said plurality of rows being parallel to saidlongitudinal axis of said plurality of blisters, said plurality of rowsbeing parallel to a direction of travel, adjacent ones of said pluralityof rows being offset such that said first plurality of blisters form asingle directional line parallel to said direction of travel.
 2. Thewalkway segment of claim 1 further including a hazard rib positionedadjacent to an outermost one of said plurality of rows, said hazard ribhaving a longitudinal axis, said hazard rib extending from said base,said hazard rib parallel to said outermost one of said plurality ofrows.
 3. The walkway segment of claim 1 further including a guide waypositioned adjacent to an outermost one of said plurality of rows, saidguide way having a pair of parallel ribs each with a longitudinal axis,said pair of ribs extending from said base, said pair of ribs defining aguideway configured to receive a tip of a cane, said pair of ribs beingdimensioned to avoid being a tripping hazard, and said pair of ribsparallel to said outermost one of said plurality of rows.
 4. The walkwaysegment of claim 1 wherein said anti-slip surface includes a pluralityof grooves in said planar surface.
 5. The walkway segment of claim 1further including a phosphorescent guide positioned adjacent to anoutermost one of said plurality of rows, said phosphorescent guidehaving a rib body with a longitudinal axis, said rib body extending fromsaid base, said longitudinal axis oriented substantially parallel tosaid direction of travel, said rib body including a plurality ofphosphorescent indicators integrated into and spaced apart along a topsurface of said rib body.
 6. The walkway segment of claim 5 wherein saidplurality of phosphorescent indicators have a configuration providing avisual indication of said direction of travel.
 7. The walkway segment ofclaim 5 wherein said rib of said phosphorescent guide has aconfiguration providing an indication of said direction of travel, saidindication including a distal end of said rib having a pointed-shapeindicating said direction of travel.
 8. A crosswalk system providingvisually impaired persons with tactile feedback for crossing a street,said crosswalk system comprising: a first walkway segment having a firstbase and a first plurality of blisters extending from said first base,said first plurality of blisters having an elongated shape and alongitudinal axis, said first plurality of blisters being dimensioned toavoid being a tripping hazard, said first plurality of blisters alignedin a plurality of rows, said plurality of rows being parallel to saidlongitudinal axis of said first plurality of blisters, said plurality ofrows being parallel to a first direction of travel, said plurality ofrows being substantially in-line with said first direction of travel,adjacent ones of said plurality of rows being offset such that saidfirst plurality of blisters form a single directional line parallel tosaid direction of travel, said first walkway segment configured to bepositioned on a sidewalk adjacent a first crosswalk, said firstdirection of travel in-line with said first crosswalk, said firstwalkway segment having a width corresponding to said first crosswalk;and a second walkway segment having a second base and a second pluralityof blisters extending from said base, said second plurality of blistershaving an elongated shape and a longitudinal axis, said second pluralityof blisters being dimensioned to avoid being a tripping hazard, saidsecond plurality of blisters aligned in a plurality of rows, saidplurality of rows being parallel to said longitudinal axis of saidsecond plurality of blisters, said plurality of rows being parallel to asecond direction of travel, said plurality of rows being substantiallyin-line with said second direction of travel, adjacent ones of saidplurality of rows being offset such that said second plurality ofblisters form a single directional line parallel to said seconddirection of travel, said second walkway segment configured to bepositioned adjacent to said first walkway on said sidewalk, said secondwalkway segment configured to be positioned adjacent a second crosswalk,said second direction of travel in-line with said second crosswalk, saidsecond walkway segment having a width corresponding to said secondcrosswalk.
 9. The crosswalk system of claim 8 further including a firsthazard rib adjacent to said first plurality of blisters and between saidfirst plurality of blisters and said first crosswalk, said first hazardrib oriented substantially perpendicular to said first direction oftravel.
 10. The crosswalk system of claim 8 further including a firsthazard rib adjacent to said first plurality of blisters and between saidfirst plurality of blisters and said first crosswalk, said first hazardrib oriented substantially perpendicular to said first direction oftravel, and further including a second hazard rib adjacent to saidsecond plurality of blisters and between said second plurality ofblisters and said second crosswalk, said second hazard rib orientedsubstantially perpendicular to said second direction of travel.
 11. Thecrosswalk system of claim 8 further including a guide way configured tobe positioned in-line with a first edge of said first walkway segment,said guide way for defining a path along said first crosswalk, saidguide way including a pair of parallel ribs extending from an elongatedbase.
 12. The crosswalk system of claim 8 further including a catchstrip configured to extend from said first and second walkway segmenttoward an opposing boundary defining said sidewalk.
 13. The crosswalksystem of claim 8 further including a tactile stop line tile configuredto be positioned parallel to said first crosswalk and on a traffic sideof said first crosswalk, said tactile stop line tile dimensioned andconfigured to provide a tactile indication detectable by a vehicleindicating a location of a stop line.
 14. A pedestrian walkway providingtactile feedback for visually impaired persons, said pedestrian walkwaysegment comprising: a plurality of walkway segments configured to bepositioned side by side to form a path, each one of said walkwaysegments including a plurality of blisters each being elongated andhaving a longitudinal axis that is parallel to a direction of travel ofsaid path, said plurality of blisters forming a plurality of rowsparallel to said direction of travel, said plurality of rows configuredto indicate said direction of travel.
 15. The pedestrian walkway ofclaim 14 further including a guide way configured to be positionedadjacent said plurality of blisters, said guide way defining a pathparallel to said direction of travel, said guide way including a pair ofparallel ribs extending from an elongated base, said pair of parallelribs defining a pathway configured to receive a tip of a cane, said pairof parallel ribs having a height and a separation dimensioned to avoidbeing a tripping hazard.
 16. The pedestrian walkway of claim 15 furtherincluding a hazard rib configured to be positioned adjacent saidplurality of blisters and opposite said guide way, said hazard riboriented substantially parallel to said direction of travel
 17. Thepedestrian walkway of claim 15 further including a first plurality ofribs in line with said pathway, said plurality of ribs having alongitudinal axis perpendicular to said direction of travel whereby saidplurality of ribs indicate an entry/exit point of said pedestrianwalkway.
 18. The pedestrian walkway of claim 17 further including asecond plurality of ribs configured to be substantially parallel to saidfirst plurality of ribs, said second plurality of ribs indicating a pathaway from said entry/exit point.
 19. The pedestrian walkway of claim 14further including a hazard rib configured to be positioned adjacent saidplurality of blisters, said hazard rib oriented substantially parallelto said direction of travel.
 20. The pedestrian walkway of claim 14further including a phosphorescent guide configured to be positionedadjacent said plurality of blisters, said phosphorescent guide orientedsubstantially parallel to said direction of travel, said phosphorescentguide being a rib with a plurality of phosphorescent indicatorsintegrated into and spaced apart along a top surface of said rib.